PROS

CONS

No control or interface options; stuck with large controls and default button setup.

VERDICT

It's hard to hold back true classics and Streets of Rage 2 remains as challenging and fun to play as ever; a chance to cater to modern audiences has been missed, but at least you can still play with friend's in co-op mode.

Full Review

App Store Info

Trying to review games like Streets of Rage 2 can be difficult - other SEGA Genesis emulated titles for the App Store have suffered from a similar problem - notably, it's hard to separate the nostalgia from the reality that is in front of you. Some games have aged poorly while others have stood the test of time and despite its age Streets of Rage 2 manages to keep its charm in spite of the emulator that surrounds it.

Despite the supposed defeat of 'Mr.X' in the original title, Adam Hunter (one of the playable characters in the first game) has been kidnapped (which a nice change from the usual girlfriend/princess/mayor's daughter routine) by 'Mr.X's syndicate which means it's time to clean up the streets once again. Genre fans will slide in to the gameplay easily as they familiarize themselves with a simple 3-button setup and d-pad controls to move, attack, jump and perform special moves. Each of the four available characters, including Adam Hunter's little brother Eddie 'Skate' Hunter, feature unique attacks that make them all a blast to play. Just beware that utilizing a special move may get you out of a tight corner, but it also depletes your health at the same time.

Streets of Rage 2 holds up amazingly well thanks in part to the varied and at times unique art direction. While the usual assortment of palette-swapped enemies bulk up the ranks, you'll have your hands full on each level as you encounter new challenges. If there's anything disappointing about the release of this title it's the need to deal with the bulky emulator interface that provides no alternative settings or gameplay features (a common missed opportunity with these emulated games). Thankfully there is one upshot to the system as you can join a friend on a local network to beat up enemies co-op style.

For many, Streets of Rage 2 will remain the greatest of the series and being able to play it again on a convenient iDevice is sweet music to their ears. However, as long as you're a beat'em-up fan it's easy to appreciate and enjoy this title and is definitely worth checking out.

Description

The ultimate urban brawler Streets of Rage 2 is now available on mobile! Play free and rediscover SEGA’s side-scrolling classic!

Mr. X is back, and he’s thirsty for revenge! After kidnapping Adam Hunter, Streets of Rage heroes Axel and Blaze join forces with Adam’s kid brother Skate, and wrestler Max to bring him to justice. Utilize all new blitz attacks and breakout moves in a city crawling with criminals and thugs, and put an end to Mr. X’s crime syndicate once and for all!

Streets of Rage 2 joins the ever-increasing line-up of ‘SEGA Forever’, a treasure trove of free SEGA console classics brought to life on mobile!

FEATURES
- Four playable characters, each with unique ‘blitz’ attacks, capable of dealing incredible damage to your enemies.
- Insane cast of end-of-level and mid-level bosses, from jet-pack fuelled psychos, to ‘Big Ben’, the lumbering fire-breathing brawler!
- Eight side-scrolling levels to tussle through – from amusement parks, to munitions dumps, until you reach the Syndicate stronghold itself!

MOBILE GAME FEATURES
PLAY FREE with ad-support or ad-free via In-App Purchase
SAVE YOUR GAMES – save your progress at any point in the game.
LEADERBOARDS – compete with the world for high scores
CONTROLLER SUPPORT: MFi compatible controllers

STREETS OF RAGE TRIVIA
- Known as Bare Knuckle II: Requiem for a Deadly Struggle in Japan
- The Japanese version of the game shows Mr. X smoking a cigar during the final boss scene
- There's no need to fight the jetpack-weilding boss Stealth in Stage 6 – focus your attention on Souther instead!
- Max Thunder was only playable in the 16-bit version of the game, appearing in neither the Game Gear nor Master System versions

STREETS OF RAGE 2 HISTORY
The game was first released on the SEGA Genesis in the US in December 1992
Developed by: Sega CS, Ancient, Shout! DW
Main programmer: Akitoshi Kawano